1. Debate about the Holy Spirit’s activities in our times: How we handle the topic of the Holy Spirit really speaks of our reverence for God since the Holy Spirit is God. The Holy Spirit is not to be debated but to be submitted to. Wrestling and engaging out of a sincere love for truth will not spark debates, but rather grace-filled, and even perhaps passionate, revelatory conversation. The way I have seen people discuss and debate the Holy Spirit borders on blasphemy and that is something I am not willing to risk.
2. Try to convince people of the Gospel: I can share. I can plant seeds. I can pray…even for decades if need be, but convincing and convicting is not my job. God has thousands of years of experience with results. I’m not after His job anymore.
3. Take sides on the abortion and homosexuality arguments of the day as they are presented: I know what I believe about abortion and homosexuality. I am firm in my Biblical convictions. And because of my stance, it is sad to see that these are political hot-button issues and that the church has not elevated the argument to the level on which it should be discussed. I can’t take official sides because neither agenda of the two sides appears to be dedicated to the truth, only to the advancement of their political causes. There is no real care for the souls in these scenarios. These two issues are social, psychological, and even biological, but more than anything, they are spiritual. There is activity taking place in an unseen world when it comes to issues as such. Conservatives seem to have placed political activism above the power of prayer, Scriptural definitions, and the sovereign justice of God. The rationale of the liberal is much more emotional than logical, which has the potential to open doors that they did not intend to open. Neither side has done a decent job of constitutionally defending their positions. I find both sides of the arguments steeped in arrogance and that causes me to seek a path of thought truly based on the entirety of Scripture.
4. Go to church just for the teaching: I am a teacher and I love good teaching. But I have come to see that church is where I come not just for instruction but for a corporate experience as well. I have always loved the movements of the Spirit in a worship service, but have put the heaviest weight on the teaching. I don’t really see a Biblical support for making singing and sharing less important that teaching and instruction. The Word of God and the presence of God are one in the same. When He speaks, He is there. If I can “feel” Him, then His Word is going forth and I need to listen and be changed. Singing, dancing, announcements, offering, preaching, altar call—all of these have the potential to accomplish God’s goals for a Sunday morning whatever they might be.
5. Praise other countries and trash-talk the United States: The grass always seems greener on the other side. Canada and Europe look great when one is struggling with the costs of healthcare and education. It is easy to identify all of the problems of the United States when in the middle of a recession. But Europe and Canada have their deep challenges as well. It is cheap to point out all of the shortcomings of a presidential administration. It is wrong to praise our constitutionally-guaranteed political freedom yet seek the tyranny of one’s party/ideology. Our government has its flaws, but even in its flawed state, it is a pretty extraordinary construct that has served as a beacon and model for decades upon decades. I have traveled to nations on the African, European and South American continents. I have lived in the amazing country of the Dominican Republic which I will always love dearly and teach my children to love as well. But I have experienced the reality that American society is characterized as self-absorbed, superficial, wasteful, cold, degenerate, immature, narrow-minded, and warmongering. This is not the America I have contact with on a regular basis. I have small encounters with those parts, but my 32 years as a citizen of the United States has been lived among the frugal, the decisive, the disciplined, the faithful, the humorous, the brotherly, the efficient, the innovative, the creative, the intelligent, and the spiritual.
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